I like you would have to rip it out. Even tho it might be only me who would see it, that is it I would rip it out. I have had to rip out a bunch and have never kept it in my mind how much it was. Just had to be done. I could not even guess. I do know, I can rip with out hurting the seam.. hehheheh Just use your ripper and cut every third or fourth stitch of the entire seam on the top side and when done turn it to the back and pull the bottom thread will come right out. Then get out the tape and put over and it will pick up all the little pieces of thread left behind.